Engaging with Australia's First Nation People with a disability, their Carers & Service Providers & making a difference to providing a VOICE for the most vulnerable

Social & Cultural Justice

The Aboriginal Engagement and Partnering Officer is positioned within a dynamic Community Engagement and Partnering team and is a pivotal point of contact between Council, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, Service Providers and Government Agencies.My position is about identifying needs through community consultation and I am responsible for;*Community engagement and contributing to the project partnering goals detailed in the "Imagine Lismore Community Strategic Plan"*Supporting Council Community Engagement Strategies with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People within the Lismore Local Government Area (Bundjalung Country)*Implementing the actions outlined in Council’s "Partnering Strategy"*Supporting and guiding Council to work effectively and in a Culturally sensitive manner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, Organisations and Communities- Emphasis of this role is also on;*Establishing and maintaining Lismore City Council's Aboriginal Advisory Group and *Continuing the enormous work and commitment by Council for LCC's Reconciliation Action Plan - which is 1 year old and has recently been reviewed with some meaningful outcomes in store that provides "RECOGNITION" and "Engagement" of First Nation People of the Bundjalung Nation within Lismore City Council's day-to-day business including access to Employment Opportunities and Economic Developmentrefer: http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-ZXD-57-42-13

I have provided appropriate Indigenous Leadership to BoysTown who are well on their way to successfully transitioning Australia's First Nation People towards their aspirations of gaining sustainable employment, after successfully securing a Partnership with GenerationOne and Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to establish QLD's first Vocational Training and Employment Centre based on GenOne's Indigenous Employment Model.I have also provided appropriately lead Community Engagement practices and Cultural Awareness across the Organisation which has been one of the key elements supported by Skilled Individuals within the VTEC Team based on individual journeys that these skilled Staff possess and who freely provide to BoysTown's VTEC Indigenous Employment Initiative (Simon Burr & Raynah Smith). Equally, Employer Engagement by other Key Staff within BoysTown's VTEC is also continuing to contribute to this success (John Perry, Brendan Bourke, Natalie Hastier and John Sebire). The VTEC Model directly changes the lives of Australia's First Nation People and builds foundations of Equity & Diversity for Employers & Industry and I am excited to have played a Leadership role that BoysTown provides in conjunction with others to focus directly on removing the shackles of disadvantage of Australia's First People - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.I pay my RESPECT to all First Nation People and acknowledge Elders Past, Present and Future who remain strongly Kinnected to Culture, Country and Sea. I am proud to be a part of one of the Oldest living and recorded Cultures in the WORLD and encourage you to learn more and come celebrate with us as we continue to practice our Culture and Kinnectedness.

Departmental Contact for Aboriginal Education, Employment & Economic Development Programs such as;*Traineeships*Apprenticeships*Aboriginal Enterprise Development Officer Program (AEDO)*New Careers for Aboriginal People Program (NCAP)*Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program*Strategic Skills Program*+ other State Training Services Programs

*Providing Business-Related Services to enhance Australian Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People's Representation in the Business Sector*Providing Non-Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Businesses & Individuals access to Authentic Australian Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Businesses & Groups/Organisations

Board of Director contributing to the identification, show casing, attraction & development of "Grass-Roots" Australian Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Economic Development and Collaborative Relationships

*Provision of Business Services to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Entrepreneurs across South-East QLD with a focus on the Gold Coast/Tweed Heads & Ipswich Regions*Created Partnerships with Various Agencies, Organisations & Individuals as "Stake-Holders" for Clients

Held numerous Employment, Education & Training roles within the Department of Employment Education & Training which later merged with Youth Affairs (DEETYA). Locations I have worked from included Rural/Remote and Urban areas of NSW & QLD.Positions included;*Assistant Aboriginal Vocational Officer (AVO)*Aboriginal Contact Officer*VET Advisor*CPSU Union Delegate*Aboriginal Employment Case Manager*Employer Vacancy Officer*Australian Public Service Testing Officer*NSW Recruitment Officer for Trainee Employment Officers

Assisting and Supporting Local Aboriginal Youth with Complex issues & dis-engagement with Family, Peers, School & Society (Generally) via Culturally Appropriate Mentoring & Counselling, Innovative Activities & Networks for Young People within the Tweed Shire